Ryan Franklin Hickman

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ryan Franklin Hickman at age 32, who passed away surrounded by family on February 1st, 2026 in Houston, Texas. Born on June 8th, 1993 to Nancy and Joe Hickman.

Ryan was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He graduated from Stratford High School in May of 2012. He then went on to study at the University of Houston Main Campus and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management. His first job after graduation was with GH Phipps Construction Companies in Denver, Colorado as a project engineer. He then decided that he wanted to move back to Texas to be closer to family and got his next position as an assistant superintendent working for Amli Residential in Austin, Texas. Ryan was so personable that he was offered a position for every job that he had an interview. He had numerous professional certifications during his employment. He loved what he did and excelled in all aspects of his job.

When Ryan was born, he was a sweet baby boy who always had a smile on his face. He was such a happy, go lucky child who got along with everyone. His love of baseball started at 4 years old when he joined his first SBMSA baseball team. During his early childhood years, he also fell in love with Taekwondo. He studied all throughout his early years at Houston Karate Academy eventually obtaining a black belt at 10 years old. He also found his love of hunting at an early age. Ryan and his dad spent countless hours on a four wheeler together hunting every year when it was deer season. His love of hunting helped him to excel at marksmanship. He joined Cub Scouts at an early age with all his friends eventually transitioning to Boy Scouts where he obtained the rank of Eagle Scout in June of 2009. At 13 years old he and his dad won the Father/Son Skeet Shooting Contest. He became Troop 642’s Shotgun shooting champion at age 14 beating out many older troop members. Ryan attended Middle school at Grace School where he played baseball, soccer and football for the school. He had many fond memories of his time there and made many life long friends. He chose the Grace School as the focal point for his Eagle Scout project providing improvements to the baseball fields. He then went to Stratford High School where he excelled in Baseball and was on the Varsity team his 11th and 12th grade year. He made many new friendships that he carried to this day from his time at the school.

Ryan had a zest for life. He never met a stranger. He enjoyed hanging out with friends and loved ones. He loved outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, golfing, paddle boarding and walking his dogs around Ladybird Lake. Beau was Ryan’s first pet who he got at the age of 22. He loved his dog with all his heart. Beau was a constant companion on all Ryan’s adventures. Ryan loved to cook. When he was cooking, he was really in his element. All his friends would attest to his skills as a chef and just as much as he loved preparing meals, he loved watching the reactions of the people who ate his food. Cooking for people was how he showed love and care to others. There was love poured into every dish that he would create. He cooked with pride, with care and with intention. Ryan was such a confident person. He loved to have impromptu dance parties and laughed with such joy that it was infectious. Ryan was a man of firm Christian beliefs and honorable ideals whose daily life reflected the true compassion and respect he felt for others. If you needed help, Ryan would hop in his truck and be there for any reason, a true friend of which he had many. They could always count on him for his listening and support. To his parents, he brought love, joy, pride and laughter and was the best son one could ask for. Ryan was the best brother. He was 7 years younger than his sister. He was always on the sidelines cheering Rebecca on at all her sporting events. She loved spending time with him and when she went to college, she made sure to comeback as often as she could to support him in his endeavors as well. When Ryan turned 18, he went with Rebecca and Jordan to New Zealand and got to spend time with them there for 2 weeks. There are so many fond memories of that time together. Lots of laughs shared over meals, and adventures off the beaten path. Rebecca knew she could always call him to talk about anything and he would lend a listening ear. Ryan was an amazing partner to Brittany for seven years. He loved her in not a perfect movie script way, but in a real, intentional, whole hearted way. He took pride in loving well. Wanting to provide, to protect, to make Brittany feel safe and chosen. He believed love was something you committed to with your whole heart. He wanted to be someone you could rely on; he was steady. That same amount of protectiveness and devotion didn’t stop with just Brittany but extended to her entire family. He was loved by all her family members including grandparents, parents and siblings, nieces and nephews. He was a father figure to Bryleigh and Paisley. Ryan was the greatest Uncle. He was at the hospital the day Charlotte was born and was one of the very first people to hold her. He loved spending time with both Charlotte and Henry. They loved every moment that they got to spend with him whether it was playing games like hide and seek or being thrown by him in the pool. He had such a bond with them that will never go away. The kids always were so excited when they knew that Uncle Ryan was coming over or that they would get to see him. He exuded so much fun and playfulness whenever he was around them. The giggles and squeals of joy could be heard from everywhere. His love of children also extended to volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House and the Houston Food Bank.

Ryan is survived by his loving parents, Nancy and Joe Hickman; His sister, Rebecca Hickman Smith; His brother-in-law, Jordan Smith; His niece and nephew, Charlotte and Henry Smith; and His Partner, Brittany Cruz. He is also survived by his Aunt and Uncle, Judy and Scott Arnold; His Aunt and Uncle, Peggy and Nolan Allen; His Uncle, Brett W. Arnold; His cousins, John Scott Arnold Jr., Robert Brett Arnold, Max Scher, Francine Gould and Alex Scher. He was preceded in death by his grandfather and grandmother Frank and Davida Hickman and his grandfather and grandmother, Robert and Susan Arnold.

A celebration of life will be held on February 21st, 2026 at 2 o’clock in the afternoon in the sanctuary of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church with reception to follow on church grounds. Reverend Seann Duffin will be presiding over the service. The address of the church is 12955 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas, 77079. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Houston in Ryan’s Memory.